3. Ask questions, address concerns, and offer advice about how your son or daughter is:

Eating. Young adults should be eating three meals a day that include a colorful array of vegetables, whole grains, and at least three servings of dairy products that provide 1,300 milligrams of calcium per day. Include enough lean meats, poultry, and seafood in the diet to reach 15 milligrams of iron per day for young women and 11 milligrams for guys. One serving of beef has 2-3 milligrams of iron. Opt for water over juice or sports drinks.

Physical activity. Young adults should aim for 60 minutes of physical activity per day.

Growth and development. By 21, it's common for many young adults to:

have completed their physical development

value individual relationships over peer groups

become more independent from parents

think abstractly to solve problems

have long-term plans for the future

4. Perform aphysical exam. In a young woman, perform a pelvic exam if she is sexually active and has excessive discharge or pelvic pain. In guys, examine the testicles for masses and varicocele (swollen veins).

5. Update immunizations.Immunizations can protect people from serious illnesses, so it's important that people receive them on time. Your son or daughter should talk to the doctor about what to expect.

6. Order tests. Your doctor may assess whether your son or daughter is at risk for anemia, high cholesterol, and tuberculosis and order tests, if needed.

Looking Ahead

School

Encourage him or her to continue to pursue areas of interest, including art, music, exercise, and community service.

Encourage taking personal responsibility for school and work. Praise accomplishments and provide support in areas where he or she is struggling.

Self

Encourage your son or daughter to learn strategies for coping with stress, such as exercising or meditation. Encourage him or her to continue to come to you with worries, and to also lean on friends and other family members.

Safety

Talk about the dangers of drinking and driving and tell your son or daughter to never get in a car with someone who has been drinking or using drugs. Instead, your son or daughter should call you (or another responsible adult) for help.

Prevent gun injuries by not keeping a gun in the home. If you do have a gun, keep it unloaded and locked away. Ammunition should be locked up separately.

These checkup sheets are consistent with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)/Bright Futures guidelines.